The Benue State Government has denied Peter Obi’s claim that thugs linked to Governor Hyacinth Alia blocked his convoy from reaching Yelewata.
What happened to the Peter Obi convoy Benue?
Peter Obi said his convoy was stopped on Tuesday while heading to Yelewata community.
He was travelling to console families affected by the 2025 attacks in the community.
According to Obi, youths mounted a roadblock on the Makurdi-Gboko federal highway.
He said the group shouted, “Peter Obi go back!” as his convoy approached.
Obi said he chose not to force his way through the blockade.
He explained that doing so could create confusion and put other people at risk.
Benue Government rejects Obi’s allegation
The state government has strongly rejected the allegation.
Tersoo Kula, Governor Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, said the government had no knowledge of the incident.
Kula described Obi’s claim as unfounded.
The government also suggested that the incident could be linked to internal political issues within the Nigeria Democratic Congress, rather than the state government.
“We wish to emphatically deny that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has an idea of what Mr. Obi is talking about,” Kula said.
The government further questioned whether Obi actually visited Makurdi on Tuesday.
It cited what it described as Obi’s previous statements about the state as part of its reason for challenging his account.
Why the state questioned Obi’s visit
The Benue Government also raised questions about the security arrangements for Obi’s movement.
It said a presidential candidate visiting the state would ordinarily be expected to notify relevant security authorities.
The government specifically mentioned the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies.
It added that Obi was not a threat to Governor Alia.
However, it argued that if there had been any genuine security concern, recognised security agencies would have handled it.
The government said it would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to create political controversies.
It said the Alia administration remained focused on governance, security and the welfare of Benue residents.
Obi calls for action ahead of 2027
Earlier, Obi had called for a non-violent political campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also urged young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as political tools.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi after the incident, Obi described the experience as worrying.
He said his team arrived in Makurdi at 9am before heading towards Yelewata.
According to Obi, the purpose was to show solidarity with families affected by the killings.
He said the incident was unacceptable and appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to intervene.
“This rascality cannot be allowed,” Obi said.
“We can not go on this way. This is unacceptable.”
Peter Obi convoy Benue dispute recalls earlier clash
The latest dispute is not the first disagreement between Obi and the Benue State Government over his activities in the state.
Last year, the state government stopped Obi from visiting internally displaced persons in Benue without express approval.
The latest Peter Obi convoy Benue dispute has now brought the issue back into public attention.
For now, the two sides have offered sharply different accounts of what happened on the road to Yelewata. The Benue Government has urged the public to disregard claims linking Governor Alia to the incident.
